Austin City Limits Music Festival 2024: The Review
The iconic Austin skyline. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)
The 2024 Austin City Limits Music Festival rocked the city once again, delivering an exhilarating line-up and unmatched energy that only the Texas capital can provide. Taking place over two weekends this past October, the festival showcased an eclectic mix of genres and artists, cementing its reputation as one of the foremost music festivals in the country. We had the chance to cover the grounds both weekends to bring you some amazing captures courtesy of me and staff photographer Trey Karson.
Dasha was a surprise hit for us. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)
Headliners such as Chris Stapleton, Dua Lipa, and Tyler The Creator commanded the main stage, drawing massive crowds and delivering unforgettable performances that were both visually stunning and sonically profound. Dua Lipa’s performance was a masterclass in lyrical prowess and stage presence, seamlessly blending powerful tracks with full sing-alongs and complementing dance moves.. Tyler The Creator, with his infectious charisma, uplifted the festival vibe, reminding everyone to embrace hip hop through his catchy anthems and dynamic dance moves. Stapleton pulled the first surprise of the festival bringing out country music legend Willie Nelson to perform with him. Other note-worthy sets of both weekends included Blink 182, Kehlani, Leon Bridges, The Marias, Misterwives, Benson Boone and Dasha.
Always known to give us a mix of musical genres, the festival did not miss a beat as most stages commanded strong crowds threoughout the two weeks. A staple of the festival has included certain artist playing either weekend one or weekend two giving festival attendees more variety to see their favorite bands.
Chappell City Limits (Photo Credit: Trey Karson)
Chappell Roan was this years most anticipated act. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)
The festival also prioritized inclusivity and diversity, featuring a robust mix of emerging artists alongside established stars. It was evident both weekends who everybody came to see. Currently on a whirlwind of intense fame, Chappell Roan was the talk of the festival. The fest even pulled a last minute schedule change to prepare for the crowds (which by the way in all the years we have been covering ACL was the biggest we have ever seen). With recent standout performances all summer, the anticipation for her set both weekends was nothing short of anything we have ever seen. Safe to say, she put on our favorite performances both weekends!
Merch booths a plenty including Tyler the Creators exclusive fest swag. (Photo Credit: Trey Karson)
Beyond the music, the festival thrived on its immersive experience. Art installations scattered throughout Zilker Park encouraged festival-goers to engage and interact, while food vendors offered a tempting array of local cuisine, from mouthwatering tacos to artisanal desserts, making it a true celebration of Austin's culinary scene.
Sustainability was another strong focus this year. Water refill stations and eco-friendly initiatives were prevalent, reflecting a collective commitment to reducing festival waste. Attendees were more conscious of their environmental impact, helping to cultivate a culture of responsibility within the festival community.
“Following this year’s highly successful and history-making battery-powered main stage at Lollapalooza, we are excited to bring this sustainable solution to Austin City Limits Music Festival. We have set a goal to build a more sustainable future for music festivals, which involves implementing solutions that make our operations more energy efficient and reinventing how we look at power,” said Jake Perry, Director of Operations and Sustainability at C3 Presents. “We are grateful to REVERB’s Decarbonization Project for their partnership in helping us move closer to our goals.”
The weather was, thankfully, cooperative after the sporadic storms of previous years. Sunshine bathed the grounds during the day, while cooler evenings created the perfect atmosphere for late-night revelries. The festival's vibe was palpable, with attendees uniting through the universal language of music and dance.
2024’s Austin City Limits Music Festival didn’t just deliver great music; it reaffirmed the power of community, creativity, and cultural celebration. It was a vibrant reminder that music is life, and life is certainly better with a little Texas charm. Mark your calendars for next year—it's an experience that is simply unmissable. And we promise we will be back
Words- Robert Castro
Weekend One Photos: Robert Castro
Weekend Two Photos: Trey Karson
